Italy Jobless Rate at 7-Month High

The unemployment rate in Italy stood at 5.8% in July 2026, marking the highest level since October 2025, remaining unchanged from an upwardly revised 5.8% in June and matching market expectations. The number of jobseekers fell 1.1%, or 17,000, to 1.49 million, with declines among men and most age groups, except those aged 35–49. Meanwhile, the employment rate remained unchanged at 63.2%, as the number of employed people also remained largely unchanged at 24.37 million. Employment increased among men, permanent employees, the self-employed and those aged 35–49, while falling among women, temporary employees and other age groups. The youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers aged 15 to 24, rose to 18.9% from 18.7%. The inactivity rate remained unchanged at 32.8%.

The unemployment rate in Italy rose to 5.7% in June 2026 from an upwardly revised 5.3% in May, exceeding market expectations of 5.1%. This marked the highest level since November 2025, as the number of unemployed individuals increased by 97 thousand from the previous month to a seven-month high of 1.46 million. Meanwhile, the employment rate remained unchanged at 62.9%, with the number of employed persons edging higher by 1 thousand to 24.31 million. Temporary employees increased by 91 thousand from the previous month, while permanent and self-employed workers declined by 46 thousand and 44 thousand, respectively. The youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers aged 15 to 24, advanced to 18.4% in June from a record low of 16.9% in May. The inactivity rate edged lower to 33.2% from 33.5%.

The unemployment rate in Italy ticked down to 5.0% in May 2026 from 5.1% in April, slightly below market expectations of 5.1%. This was the lowest level since the current data series began in 2004, as the number of unemployed individuals decreased by 22 thousand month-on-month to 1.28 million, which affected men, women, fixed-term employees, and all age groups except those aged 50 and over. The employment rate edged down to 63.0% from a record high of 63.1%, with the number of employed persons dropping by 22 thousand to 24.34 million. Italy’s employment rate remained among the lowest in the eurozone. The inactivity rate rose to 33.6% from a six-month low of 33.45%. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers between 15 and 24 years old, declined to a new record low of 15.1% in May from 16.4% in April.